Sue McMurtray retires after 28 years at Totem Pole

McMurtray is retiring as managing/marketing director from Caledonia's famous Totem Pole Playhouse, after 28 years.

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Waynesboro Record Herald - Waynesboro, PA

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Posted Dec. 29, 2012 at 10:00 AM

Posted Dec. 29, 2012 at 10:00 AM

CALEDONIA — Sometimes the career you end up with is quite different from what you originally intended. Such is the case with Sue McMurtray. Although a career in show business was not one of her original intentions, McMurtray is retiring as managing/marketing director from Caledonia's famous Totem Pole Playhouse, after 28 years. Before McMurtray became a fixture at the summer theater she attended nursing school, became an X-ray technician and eventually ran the historic Penn National Inn, located nearby the Totem Pole Playhouse, between Gettysburg and Chambersburg.

It was during her eight years running the inn that she became personally acquainted with many of the actors and staff of Totem Pole, including long-time artistic director, the late Bill Putch, and his wife, actress Jean Stapleton. After Putch's death in 1983, Carl Schurr, one of the actors McMurtray befriended, took over the production company as artistic director and officially brought McMurtray into the Totem Pole family as managing director of the production company.

Instrumental roles

While it would be easy to say that the rest is history, McMurtray's history with Totem Pole is worth so much more. She was not only part of the family, she was also instrumental in many roles and functions that kept the theater running behind the scenes, and even once on-stage, when she was asked to play Mrs. Fezziwig in a production of "A Christmas Carol."

It was, however, McMurtray's spirit, hard work and dedication to Totem Pole Playhouse that made her so familiar to patrons, actors and staff for nearly three decades. As managing director she was responsible for just about everything to do with the actors from the time they are cast until they take the stage. McMurtray's contributions included managing contracts, making travel and lodging accommodations and, as she has been heard saying, making sure the actors are happy campers. During her tenure she was also responsible for planning and executing advertising and publicity campaigns for the theater's productions every summer.

"In the theater business there's that old saying that the show must go on; well, everything Sue did here at Totem Pole was a major part of making sure that the shows did indeed go on for well over a quarter of a century," said Ray Ficca, artistic director of Totem Pole.

In addition to official duties, McMurtray was also known for making sure that members of the production staff were well taken care of especially during production changes. She was also known to pitch in and help with costuming and even the mundane daily operations that are required of any organization. "Sue was a big part of Totem Pole and after all of her years of hard work and dedication she certainly deserves a relaxing retirement," said executive director Nathan Rotz. "While we will miss her, we wish her nothing but the best and thank her for all she has done."

Page 2 of 2 - Her reflections

McMurtray reflects on her career stating: "I've experienced 168 shows in 28 years, traveling to many different locales with each show — places I may never get to see in real life. What a joy! Not everyone has the opportunity to see the behind-the-scenes of a theater like I have. The magic of theater. Nor does everyone have the rare opportunity to have such a large family of friends as we do here at Totem Pole. Every summer for 28 years, I would gather a new family of at least 50 members which gives me a family of more than 1,400 by now.

"It has been a fantastic opportunity to learn the trade of professional live theater at Totem Pole," she continued. "I look forward to the 2013 season, the biggest, boldest and brightest season ever attempted in the theater's 63-year history. It has been such a privilege to work here."